University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigress Khrizzie Pabulayan was close to tears when asked how she felt at the end of the UAAP Season 78 Judo Tournament. She had not only clinched a gold medal for UST in the -48kg division, but also the Most Valuable Player award. She said, “Sobrang saya po kase…. kaya ko po talaga kasi first year ko lang talaga. Hindi ko po talaga ito sport. Prang inintroduce lang ako dito ng kaibigan ng ate ko para makapag-aral.”
It was only in 2013 that Pabulayan stared to learn Judo, and Season 78 was her debut in the UAAP. It had taken her two years to be prepared for UAAP and the long wait was worth it. “Una pa lang po. Two years po ako nasa residency.” She added, “Kasi po nung time na yun, hindi po ako ready isabak sa labanan dito. Sobrang nakakaoverwhelm na nakuha ulit namin yung first. Napanindigan namin na kaya namin panindigan ang championship namin.”
The UST Lady Tigresses won their second straight UAAP Judo Championship this Season 78, but Pabulayan feels she can still improve aspects of her game. “Training pa po ako kasi hindi po ako masyadong kuntento sa laro ko kasi may mga pagkakamali po akong nagawa so kailangan ko talagang paghirapan ang sarili ko para mas prepared ako next season.”
Pabulayan shared there was one aspect in which she wanted to improve. “Self-confidence sa sarili ko. Kailangan ko pong magtiwala sa sarili ko at sa teammates ko.”
Three years in Judo have made Pabulayan love her teammates and the sport itself. She hopes to finish her eligibility for UST. “Kasi po napatunayan ko sa sarili ko na napamahal pala ako sa team so kailangan ko pong ipagpatuloy sa tingin ko at ito na ang naging passion ko.”
The Lady Tigresses look formidable with Pabulayan and UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year Miam Salvador in the squad come Season 79. A third successive championship will be the main goal of UST by then. Pabulayan ominously remarked, “Tingin ko po, champion ulit. Mas lalo pa namin paghahandaan ang next season.”
